Sony Looks to Blockchain To Help IT Security

A new patent application by Sony Corp. suggests the Japanese tech company has turned to blockchain technology to help protect its network.

Sony, aware how hackers and other malicious mischief have taken advantage of users thanks to its embarrassing incident over alleged hacking by North Korea, has proposed a login system intended to ramp up security with a multi-factor authentication system (MFA).

According to the U.S. Patents and Trademark office, the patent for the proposed technology would still give users the normal login credentials for either a program or website. Added would be an authentication token which will generate a unique code. Users will have to input the code to gain access.

Sony has two proposals on the table. One is that the blockchain technology would create the authentication, while the other would require a user to confirm his identity before being added to the system. The added layer of security is intended for the benefit of end-users and addresses concerns tied up to the prior incidents.